NCL’s compulsory All Inclusive scrapped

At long last too.

This was a big risk and not sure how it was ever signed off but the All inclusive drinks and tips package has at long last been scrapped.

When this was first announced and applied to all their prices the UK market, agents included voiced our concerns, at the time it fell on deaf ears but just like MSCs compulsory tips policy NCL eventually listend, probably looked at the stats and decided they had scored an own goal.

NCL will instead introduce a new ‘Free at Sea’ programme which will give you a wider choice and choose what works best for you.

So from what I understand, you will now be the basic cruise fare with no extra and if you are happy with that then that’s the price. However, you have the option to pay £99 for a 7 night cruise and you will get two benefits which the cruise line claims are worth more than £700.

A 14 night sailing will cost you £199pp and sailings between 7-14 nights will be priced on a sliding scale.

These are the combinations you can choose from

A premium drinks package, worth up to US$99 per person, per day, including gratuities and service charges
Specialty dining for three nights of a seven-night sailing, worth $89 per person, including gratuities and service charges
Free WiFi, up to 250 mins per stateroom on a seven-night basis.
US$50 dollars onboard credit per stateroom, per port, to spend on shore excursions
The third and fourth passenger in a stateroom, sails for the cost of taxes only (selected sailings only)
Guests sailing in NCL’s top stateroom classes (Haven, Concierge or suites) would automatically be eligible for all five.

Vice-president and managing director for NCL’s UK, Ireland, Israel, South Africa, and Middle East markets, Eamonn Ferrin, said while a drinks package and specialty dining might be important to some, for others, free child places or access to the internet might be the key driver.

He also said other lines had copied elements of the Premium All Inclusive offer which had “diluted” the message.

“This is all about reinforcing freestyle cruising, giving more flexibility, choice, and value to our customers,” Ferrin said.

“These are the key watchwords of our brand. The core values of Norwegian are that you can wear what you want, eat what you want and when you want and that you can choose from a wide range of entertainment.

“We have done a lot of research among existing customers and those yet to cruise, and it was a real eye-opener into what they really want. Across all demographics and socio-types, having choice and individuality to create their own vacation experience was really important.”

What will be interesting to see is what will happen with their basic cruise fares are they likely to come down I wonder.

So far I have seen more interest in NCL again, which is great because frm my 1 1 night experience of NCL and what my clients tell me NCL is a great product with high standards, great food and superb shows.